Men top death list for drownings

ALMOST 300 Australians drowned in the past year, with more than eight out of 10 victims male and the estimated cost to the economy $1 billion.

The National Drowning report, released in Parliament yesterday, found the number of drownings for the year to June 30 was 284. The death toll is down on the previous year's tally of 310, but that total was inflated by dozens of deaths in the Queensland floods.

NSW has 105 recorded drownings in the past year ... the National Drowning report. Photo: Ted Reed

The total is a 1 per cent - three fatalities - reduction on the five-year average. Two hundred and thirty-two of those who died were men. The main location of drownings - 104 deaths - was in inland waterways. There were 55 deaths at beaches, and 55 drownings resulting from watercraft accidents. Only 22 died in swimming pools.

Seven toddlers died in bathtubs, a 75 per cent rise on the five-year average. The biggest killer of children under four remains swimming pools, with eight deaths. The 21 toddler drownings this year is below the five-year average of 32.

''Alcohol was known to be a factor in 26 deaths, with men accounting for 77 per cent,'' the report said. ''Alcohol was most likely to be a factor in drowning deaths of people aged 55-64.'' Drugs were involved in 22 deaths, with cannabis the most common illicit substance detected.

While 59 deaths were classified as visitors to the specific location, only six were international tourists. The report says contrary to assumptions about Asian tourists drowning, these deaths were predominantly from Sweden, Belgium and Switzerland.

NSW recorded the most deaths with 105, followed by Queensland (75) and Victoria (37).

The Royal Life Saving chief executive, Rob Bradley, said the figures were incredibly disappointing. He said it was estimated drownings and brain injuries cost the economy about $1 billion a year.